Amish Summer of Courage: Book Six Read online

  “I suppose it hadn’t crossed my mind to mention it.”

  Nettie looked at her knowingly, leaving Rachel feeling as though she’d lied to the woman. In a way, she had lied by way of omission of information, but she was of the mindset that what they didn’t know couldn’t hurt her.

  Hiram placed another slab of ham on his bread, making his sandwich almost too thick to bite into. “I’ll be having Levi make deliveries for me to save time, so he’ll bring the butter over to the bakery on Thursday. I think I’m going to like having a hired hand. We might just have to negotiate an extended stay for you, Levi. Already my mind is awhirl over everything from chopping wood and shoveling snow, to making candles and sheering the sheep. I don’t know why I’ve been trying to do everything myself this year. Since Seth got married, I’ve been trying to shoulder all the work on my own.” He slapped Levi on the shoulder. “Now I may not have to. We got more done today than I have in the last week.”

  Levi smiled, catching Rachel’s eyes. She was happy to hear that it was working well for him to help—if it meant he might stay in the community. But then a thought hit her like a rock.

  “What about your daed, Levi? Won’t he miss you being gone all this time?”

  How could he have a chance to miss me when he got himself a room in the motel in town so he could keep an eye on me until I get him the stolen money?

  Levi shrugged. He shoved a forkful of potato salad into his mouth, keeping his eyes on his plate.

  It was obvious to everyone at the table that Levi didn’t want to answer that question. She knew firsthand that every familye had its struggles, but Levi almost seemed like he was hiding something. Perhaps he was younger than she’d originally thought, and he’d run away from home. He hadn’t mentioned his mamm, but spoke only of his daed. She noticed a sense of sadness about him that he was trying hard to cover. But his eyes gave him away; those sad, amber eyes.

  Chapter 5

  During the meal, Levi felt Rachel’s eyes on him, but he tried to steer the conversation to his new duties at the Miller farm, hoping she wouldn’t catch his mishaps. If he didn’t start keeping track of his lies, he would blow his cover, and she would never trust him enough to confide in him. He also needed to keep her interest to allow him the opportunity to talk to her sister, Abby. Knowing Abby was married, he would not be able to talk to her unless in the company of Rachel, so she would be the perfect go-between. He hated the deception, especially since this family had already been so kind to him. And if he wasn’t careful, he would end up falling for the beautiful Rachel, and that would interfere with his plan to be rid of his father once and for all.

  The previous summer he’d spent at the Schrock farm had taught him a lot about the Amish culture. They were a kind and generous group of people, and he hated taking advantage of their pure goodness. He had learned that each community is different and has its own rules; however, one thing remained true in all of them—their kind and gentle nature. At the end of the summer, when Bruce had gotten out of jail, Levi hadn’t wanted to leave the farm and return home.

  His dad had been the one to suggest Levi pose as Amish to weave his way into their lives so he could get the information he needed to locate the stolen money. His dad had told him the money had sat long enough that the state of Ohio had probably forgotten all about it. He certainly hoped it was true since he didn’t want to go to jail.

  ****

  Rachel climbed reluctantly into her grossdaddi’s buggy; she couldn’t believe he’d suggested so casually that Levi drive her home. As she nestled in next to Levi, Rachel blushed at the closeness.

  Levi picked up the reins with shaky hands.

  “I’m not the best driver. I’ve only driven a few times last summer when I helped my cousins on their farm. Since mei Daed and I have lived in town most of my life, we don’t even have a horse.”

  “I can teach you the way mei Daed taught me when I was just a wee little girl.”

  Rachel placed her hands over the top of Levi’s hands, guiding the reins to maneuver the horse. It amazed her at how soft his hands were. She supposed living in town instead of on a working farm would do that to a mann’s hands. In time, she would see the callouses of a hard-working mann—especially if he continued to work for her grossdaddi. Hiram Miller had worked hard all his life, and he expected the same from those around him. Rachel had always admired that about him, though she’d heard from her mamm and Onkel Seth that he could be quite stern.

  As they let the mare trot down the main stretch of road past the bakery, Rachel let go of Levi’s hands and allowed him control. “I think you’re getting the hang of it. Will you be alright by yourself on the way back?”

  Levi smiled at her. “I think I will. Danki for trusting me.”

  Rachel smiled. “If mei grossdaddi trusts you, then I do too.”

  Maybe this job will be easier than I thought. If she trusts me enough to drive her home, surely she will get her sister to trust me with the secret of where that money is hidden. The sooner I get it back to Bruce, the sooner I can get on with my life. All I want to do is finish this job for Bruce and get out of here before I become too attached to this beautiful girl.

  ****

  Rachel allowed herself to bump into Levi every time the buggy hit a rut in the shoulder of the road. She didn’t mind the contact with the handsome stranger who intrigued her with every story he told about his life in Ohio. Though he was only making small-talk now, she picked up subtle traces of inconsistencies in his tales. Not that she doubted he was from Ohio, or that he lived in town with his daed; perhaps that was why he seemed more Englisch than Amish. She wondered if her grossdaddi had picked up the same clues in Levi’s speech, or if he was so happy to have help that he didn’t see past the strong pair of hands that eased his own workload.

  “How long have you been without a mamm?”

  Levi cleared his throat, pausing to choose his words carefully. “I honestly don’t know. Daed told me a story, but I don’t remember much about her. I haven’t seen her since I was seven years old. She didn’t live with us, but she visited. Then she stopped suddenly. I’ve not seen her since, and don’t really remember her.”

  Rachel’s heart thumped in her chest. She couldn’t imagine not seeing her mamm, or knowing where she was. Her own schweschder had never seemed to display a void from losing her real father, but Levi held a cloud of sadness in his eyes when he spoke of his mamm. Was it possible that Abby felt the same at losing her daed, but pushed her feelings down? They’d never really talked about it. She knew he had been of undesirable character, but it was obvious that Levi’s mamm was of questionable character as well.

  “You should talk to my schweschder. She’s had kind of the same problem in her life, except my daed became her daed when she was ten years old. I know it’s too late for you to have a new mamm, but you both lost a parent around the same age. Maybe she could offer some advice on how she settled things in her heart.”

  Levi couldn’t believe Rachel had just handed him the key to open the door of communication with her sister, Abby.

  “Jah, it would be nice to speak to someone else who might understand what I’ve gone through. Losing a parent isn’t easy, no matter what the circumstances. Did your schweschder’s daed walk out on her too?”

  “Nee, he died in a car accident. But he didn’t know she was his dochder. They never knew each other.”

  Levi steered the buggy into the long drive leading to Rachel’s haus. “But if she never knew him, what was there for her to settle? How can you feel a loss for something you never had?”

  Rachel scrunched her brow. “I’m not sure. I suppose you will have to ask her yourself. Danki for the ride. I hope I will see you again soon.”

  Levi smiled. “You can count on it.”

  Chapter 6

  “Why are you telling complete strangers my personal business?”

  Rachel looked at her schweschder across the counter of the bakery. Her arms were crossed over her ch
est and her eyes narrowed.

  They exchanged Abby’s order across the display case that was already emptying of the day’s baking.

  “He’s not a complete stranger; he’s living with Nettie and Grossdaddi.”

  Abby rolled her eyes. “That’s no testament of a mann’s character. Grossdaddi would take in a dozen prisoners if he thought he could rehabilitate them. He told you he was from the community near where mamm and I used to live. How do we know that Eddie’s friends aren’t still out there somewhere hoping to collect on his debt? You know how quickly word gets around when people start wagging their tongues. If he wants to talk about loss in his life, that’s one thing. But please don’t talk about my past anymore. You know how hard mamm worked to keep all that a secret.”

  Rachel leaned across the counter. “Didn’t her secrets almost destroy your chances of a normal life with Jonah?”

  Abby scowled. “We are married now and that’s all that matters. Mamm did what she thought she had to do in order to protect me. I know that now. I only hope that my connection with Eddie’s familye hasn’t jeopardized my future. I will always have that little bit of fear hanging over my head. Just be careful what you say to Levi. You never know what he could be putting in his letters back home.”

  Rachel agreed, though she didn’t understand her schweschder’s continued caution over the subject. Eddie had been gone since Abby was ten years old.

  ****

  Hiram pulled the bucket up from the well and splashed the earth-cooled water on his face. He had gotten too warm again and run out of energy. His back ached, and his joints stiffened. Levi was a hard worker, so why was he still pushing himself as though he were still a young mann? The doctor had told him to take it easy, but he feared if he sat around he would feel useless. His sons had farms of their own and had no use with his. Who would even inherit his property when he was gone? Hiram shook the thought from his mind; he wasn’t ready for Gott to take him yet. He was newly married, and it had made him young at heart again—hadn’t it?

  Feeling over-heated and sick from the heat of the sun burning his backside, Hiram stumbled over to the large oak tree in the yard and collapsed at the base.

  Dear Gott, please don’t make my Nettie a widow so soon.

  Levi hadn’t noticed when Hiram disappeared from the field where they’d been turning up the soil between rows of vegetables. When he saw his boss fall against the tree in the yard, he took off running toward him. When he reached the tree, he leaned against it, trying to catch his breath.

  “Are you hurt?”

  Hiram looked up at him with weak eyes that squinted against the bright afternoon sun. “I think the heat got to me. Let me rest a spell, and I’ll be back in the field to help you.”

  Levi crouched down and leaned on his haunches. “Your entire shirt is soaked with sweat, and your face is beet-red.”

  Hiram waved him off with his hand. “I spilled water down the front of me when I pulled the bucket from the well. I’m probably just sunburned. I should be alright in a few minutes.”

  Levi wasn’t convinced. “You sound out of breath. Should I get a doctor?”

  Hiram tried to stand, but his legs were too shaky, and nausea consumed him. “Maybe you better go call Doctor Davis. The number is on the wall in the barn near the phone.”

  Levi didn’t want to leave Hiram alone too long, so he ran to the barn as fast as he could.

  Lord, please don’t let my new boss die. Spare his life, and let the doctor get here in time.

  Levi rushed back to Hiram after begging the doctor to hurry. “The doc said to get you out of the heat. Do you think you can walk if I help you?”

  Hiram nodded.

  “C’mon, let’s get you inside.”

  Levi bent down and tucked his arm under Hiram’s and helped him to his feet. Steadying him, Levi walked slowly to get him in through the kitchen door and set him down at the table. Hearing the commotion, Nettie rushed into the room.

  “What happened?” She held a hand to her throat, her face ashen.

  Levi began to unlace Hiram’s work boots. “He got overheated. The doc said to get him inside and take his shoes off to cool him down. Could you bring him a drink of water? Doc said only tap water—nothing cold or it could throw him into shock.”

  Nettie had already gotten a glass out of the cupboard before he finished his sentence.

  “The doc said he’d be here in a few minutes.”

  When he finished with Hiram’s shoes and socks, Levi pulled his hat off his head and fanned Hiram’s face with it.

  Hiram snatched the hat from Levi’s hand playfully. “Don’t fuss over me. I’ll be fine as long as I sit here for a minute and catch my breath.”

  Nettie placed the glass of water in her husband’s hand. “Don’t be so stubborn, old mann; the buwe was only doing what Doctor Davis told him to do. Now drink up.”

  Levi sat across from Hiram, feeling the danger of what could have happened to his boss if he hadn’t noticed Hiram had left the field when he did. If anything had happened to his boss, he’d be out of a job and would have to go back home empty-handed.

  Shame on me for thinking such selfish thoughts. Lord, forgive me for being so selfish. Please make Hiram well again; not for my sake, but for Nettie’s.

  Chapter 7

  Doctor Davis put away his stethoscope and stood at the foot of the bed of his most stubborn patient.

  “You rest now, Hiram. Heat stroke is no laughing matter.” He turned to Nettie. “Don’t let him out of that bed tomorrow.”

  Nettie smirked. “Now, Doc, you know that’s not as easy as it sounds.”

  Hiram adjusted the pillow beneath his head. “I have to tend to my corn field.”

  Levi stepped in from the doorway where he’d remained while the doctor did his examination. “I can finish it. You get your rest.”

  Hiram shook his head in discouragement. “You know I can’t afford to pay you more wages for doing my half of the work.”

  Levi looked at him sternly. “I can only work as fast as one man and can only do the work of one man. You will pay me the wages we already agreed upon; you can help when you’re feeling better, or whenever the doc gives you the okay.”

  Hiram looked at Levi. He was an honest, hard-working young mann, but for the first time, Hiram noticed Levi spoke like an Englischer.

  ****

  Levi picked up the cell phone from the solar-powered charger he’d put in the window of his room at the Miller’s house. Bruce had sent him several text messages asking for a progress report. He was tempted to ignore the messages, but he knew Bruce would come looking for him if he didn't stave him off with some sort of news. But what could he say without hurting Rachel or her family, and yet give his dad a sense of satisfaction that this trip was producing the results he’d sought?

  “I got the job. Will meet the whole family at dinner on Saturday. Will know more then.”

  Levi hit send and turned off the phone before he could get a response. Levi wasn’t in the mood for a confrontational text war with Bruce, and when he received his son’s vague text message, it was sure to make him angry. Feeling the exhaustion from the long day he’d had in the field, he collapsed onto the soft bed and pulled the feather pillow under his weary head.

  Lord, if you see fit to get me out of this mess somehow, I pray that you will rescue me from my own poor judgment. Please forgive me for deceiving these nice people.

  ****

  Because of Hiram’s heat stroke, the butter did not get made the day before. Now it was up to Levi to take over. Sadly, he had to admit that he’d never churned butter before. After a few quick instructions from Hiram to get started, Levi headed for the root cellar where a ten-gallon bucket full of fresh cream waited for him. How hard could it be to slosh it around a churn for a few minutes? He’d seen Mrs. Schrock churning butter on the front porch of the farm where he’d worked the previous summer, so he felt he had a basic understanding of it from watching the process. So how hard
could it be?

  With a churn full of cold cream, Levi settled in on the front porch where he could enjoy the summer breeze while he worked on the first batch. After about twenty minutes, his arms started to ache. He opened the lid on the churn to see that the cream had begun to thicken and separate. Feeling confident the process was nearing its end, Levi pushed through the pain, taking very short breaks to rest his arms.

  Hearing the screen door squeak, Levi looked up to see Hiram making his way toward him with two glasses of lemonade. He sat down in the chair beside Levi and offered him one of the glasses.

  Levi took the glass and gulped the entire thing.

  “Danki, that hit the spot.”

  Hiram cocked his brow. “I thought you could use a little break. How long have you been at it?”

  Levi wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. “Almost thirty minutes.”

  Hiram chuckled. “You’re about halfway done. You want me to take a turn?”

  Levi shook his head. “Doc said you were not to exert yourself. This is laborious work.”

  Hiram chuckle again. “Yes it is. It will give you some muscles.”

  Levi laughed. “I could stand to gain a bit of muscle.”

  “When you finish this part, I’ll show you what the next step is.”

  Levi was grateful his boss was a patient man. He wished his own father could have been half as patient as Hiram, and a better example. Maybe then he wouldn’t be here trying to deceive this man he admired. But maybe God wanted him here for a reason. Maybe he was meant to come here and learn to be a better man from this family. If anyone could teach him to be a better man, it was Hiram.

  Then there was Rachel—beautiful Rachel, a girl he could see himself falling in love with. A girl he could see himself spending the rest of his life with. But who was he kidding? A girl like her would never want to be with him. Especially when she and her family discovered what kind of man he really was. He was a thief and a liar. Would they ever forgive him? Would God forgive him?